Primarily celebrated by the Hindus and Jains, Akshaya Tritiya is also known as Akha Teej and is considered one of the most significant festivals in the Hindu calendar.

The festival has its roots in Hindu mythology, and it is associated with various legends and stories. Hindus believe that on this day, the god Vishnu incarnated as Parashurama, and the goddess Annapurna was born. On the other hand, Jains commemorate when their first Tirthankara, Rishabhdeva, broke his 400-day fast.

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Legends Associated with Akshaya Tritiya

Lord Krishna and Sudama

One of the most popular legends associated with Akshaya Tritiya is the story of Lord Krishna and Sudama. According to the legend, Sudama was a childhood friend of Lord Krishna. Sudama was very poor and wanted to seek Lord Krishna’s help. However, he felt ashamed to ask for help and offered Lord Krishna a handful of rice as a gift when visiting him.

When he met Lord Krishna, he was surprised to see that Lord Krishna had already anticipated his arrival and welcomed him with open arms. Lord Krishna was pleased with Sudama’s gift and blessed him with wealth and prosperity.

People often cite the story as an example of how even a small gift offered with pure intentions can bring great rewards.

The Story of Lord Parashurama

Another legend associates Akshaya Tritiya with the story of Lord Parashurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, whom people believe to have been born on this day. Lord Parashurama received his famous axe or “parashu” on Akshaya Tritiya, which he later used as his primary weapon in his battles against the evil forces.

Significance of Akshaya Tritiya

Apart from the religious significance, Akshaya Tritiya is also considered an auspicious day to start new ventures, make investments, and purchase gold. People believe any activity started on this day results in success and prosperity.

The word “Akshaya” in Sanskrit means eternal; anything started today is believed to have an everlasting impact.

The festival is also associated with agriculture and marks the beginning of the farming season in some parts of India. Farmers usually start sowing crops on this day, hoping for a good harvest. The festival is also a time to thank the gods for their blessings and pray for prosperity and wealth.

Akshaya Tritiya is a day for new beginnings. It is also popular for weddings, engagements, and Griha Pravesh (housewarming).

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Celebrations across India

People across India celebrate Akshaya Tritiya with great zeal and enthusiasm.

It goes by different names in different states — Akshaya Trithiya Parvam (Tamil Nadu), Akti (Kerala), Akki Tadige (Karnataka), Akha Teej (Maharashtra) and Akshay Tritiya in the northern states and Bengal so on. But the themes of the celebrations are similar.

Devotees take a dip in the holy river and perform puja at temples. They also offer prayers to their presiding deity (Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Laxmi) and seek blessings for prosperity and success.

On this day, people also donate to the poor and needy. Giving to charity is considered a virtuous act that brings blessings and happiness.

The festival of Akshaya Tritiya reminds us of the importance of gratitude, generosity, and faith in facing life’s uncertainties.

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This year Holi is being celebrated on 8^th March 2023. In recent times, Holi celebrations have gone truly global, thanks to the Indian diaspora around the world.

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In India, Holi is synonymous with playing with colours, pichkaris (water guns), water balloons, and gorging on indulgent festive food (thandai, bhang, gujia, dahi bhallas, among others). It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is a celebration of love, harmony, and oneness.

Holi celebrations span over two days starting on the evening of Phalugun Purnima (full moon day) with Holika Dahan followed by Rangwali Holi also known as Dhulandi on the next day.

The Legends Behind Holi

Holi has its fair share of mythologically significant stories which tell how the festival came into being.

King Hiranyakashyap and Prahlad

Among the many legends associated with the festival of Holi is the story of the demon King Hiranyakashyap and his son Prahlad from Hindu mythology.

King Hiranyakashyap for his severe penance was granted a boon that he could not be killed by any man or animal. Believing that he was immortal, the king forced people to worship him. However, his son Prahlad, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu refused to do so. Acting out of anger and spite, the demon king asked his sister Holika to kill him.

Holika had the boon of protection against fire, so she took Prahlad into a fire pyre thinking Prahlad would burn and she would remain unscathed. But the opposite happened.

Prahlad for his devotion and faith remained unharmed and Holika was burnt to ashes. Later, Lord Vishnu in his Narasimha avatar, killed the demon King Hiranyakashyap signifying the victory of good over evil.

Holika Dahan Celebrations

For Holika Dahan (‘Burning of Holika’) celebrations on the eve of Holi, a bonfire is lit and people perform rituals while offering prayers for the internal evil in all of us to be destroyed. Devotees complete the prayers by walking around the bonfire three, five, or seven times along with vessels of water.

Lord Krishna and Radha

Another popular legend associated with Holi is of the eternal love of Lord Krishna and Radha. It is said that Lord Krishna, conscious of his dark skin colour, worried if Radha would accept him.

He sought the advice of his mother, Yashoda, who suggested that he colour Radha in any colour he liked. In his mischievousness, Lord Krishna smeared colours on Radha’s face and professed his love for her.

Playing with colours in Holi commemorates the divine love between Lord Krishna and Radha and is the most loved tradition of the festival of colours.

In Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Nandagaon, and Gowardhan, places related to Lord Krishna, Holi celebrations have a different fervour and enthusiasm.

Another Holi celebration in India that stands out is the Lathmar Holi in Barsana, the home of goddess Radha. Women hitting men with lath (sticks) as men try to shield themselves is a part of the celebrations here.

Holi Celebrations with Colours

On the day of Holi, people play with colours and smear each other in a riot of colours. Water guns, water-filled balloons, music, and dance makes for an exuberant atmosphere and everyone is a fair game to colour.

It’s common for people to say – bura na mano holi hai (‘Don’t mind it’s Holi’) while drenching others (even strangers) with colours. People dance to the Holi songs with the ever popular ‘rang barse’ still staying at the top of the charts.

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It is customary for people to visit friends and family and come together to eat, drink and partake in Holi delicacies.

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